Jimmy Butler is a superstar on the basketball court, but now he is trying to extend his greatness to the recording studio. Butler has set his sights on producing a hit country album, and he has already made good progress in that endeavor.
In an interview with The Guardian, Butler revealed that he is fully immersed in putting together a country music album. Butler is a fan of the genre, and stated he has already produced 60 songs for the project, but he is nowhere near done.
Butler said he wants to have 200 songs to choose from before finalizing and releasing the album. The Miami Heat star said it has been a good challenge and one that has forced him to humble himself in the best way possible.
“And it’s fun, and I do love it, but my goodness, it’s difficult,” Butler said. “It’s stressful — it’s completely different from basketball. I’m not saying basketball’s easy either, but just for people to be able to think they can just go do this or that – it’s like, man, look. Humble yourself. It is incredibly fun, I’ve had a blast while doing it. But I will tell you that it’s not easy.”
Anyone hoping to hear the sultry tones of Butler’s voice on the tracks will be disappointed. Butler said he is more interested in being a producer instead of a singer.
“I’m like the DJ Khaled of this thing,” Butler said.
If Butler still needs another 140 songs before he is ready to unveil the album, it might be a while before people get to hear it. Besides, Butler is in the thick of another strong season with the Heat, who sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Through 25 games played, Butler is averaging 21.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per contest.
No position in pro football is more important than quarterback. It’s certainly true in the NFL, where the league’s elite quarterbacks command $40 million salaries. The fact is also a reality in the USFL, as two of the league’s top quarterbacks — the Stallions’ J’Mar Smith and the Stars’ Case Cookus — will look to lead their respective teams to the rebooted league’s first championship this Sunday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Both quarterbacks have overcome considerable hurdles to reach Sunday’s championship game. Smith, who was actually drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 24th round of the 2015 MLB Draft, went undrafted in 2020 following a successful career on the gridiron at Louisiana Tech. He was signed by the Patriots that spring before being waived in late July. Smith’s next opportunity didn’t come until 2021, when he spent several months with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Like Smith, Cookus went undrafted in 2020 despite having an impressive career at Northern Arizona. Cookus, who in 2015 won the Jerry Rice Award as the best freshman in the FCS, spent time with four different NFL teams but was unable to find a longterm landing spot. He also had a brief CFL stint before the USFL came calling.
Pick Six Newsletter Get the day’s big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings.
I agree to receive the “Pick Six Newsletter” and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge Paramount’s Privacy Policy. Email Address For both quarterbacks, the USFL has been the light at the end of a long, winding tunnel. Cookus led the Stars’ late charge to reach Sunday’s title game, while Smith helped the Stallions get off to an 8-0 start while establishing themselves as the league’s premier team. Last Saturday, hours after the Stars’ come-from-behind win over the New Jersey Generals in the USFL’s first playoff game, the Stallions posted a 31-17 playoff win over the New Orleans Breakers. In a game that was closer than the final score would indicate, one of the biggest differences was Smith, who threw and ran for scores against arguably the USFL’s best defense.
Playing for the Stallions has given Smith a chance to reunite with his college coach Skip Holtz, who this week said that Smith is like his third son.
“Certainly grateful and appreciative for the opportunity to be together again,” Holtz said of getting the chance to reconnect with Smith. “I think J’Mar has got the talent to be a really, really good quarterback. I think the world of him.”
This connection by @jMar_Smith and @OMitchellV was too nice 🎯
The @USFLStallions tie things up in the first half
— USFL (@USFL) June 26, 2022 Sunday will make the first matchup between the two teams since May 15. Philadelphia, a 2-2 outfit at the time, raced out to a surprising 17-7 lead. But the Stallions, led by Smith and a defense that pitched a shutout in the second half, scored 23 unanswered points to cruise to a 30-17 win.
Along with the possible distinction of becoming the first starting quarterback to win a USFL title, Sunday’s game provides both players with yet another opportunity to play the game they love on a championship-level stage.
“I think I have a newfound appreciation for not playing for almost two years,” Cookus said earlier this week. “So just the opportunity now, playing for a championship. It’s so exciting to have my fiancée and my mom and dad will be there (at the USFL Championship Game). I just can’t wait. I’m super excited for it.”
The USFL’s inaugural season comes down to Sunday, when the Birmingham Stallions and Philadelphia Stars will duke it out in the championship. After a 10-week regular season, both the Stallions and Stars found themselves in Canton, Ohio, for the postseason and were able to defeat their respective division rivals to be the last two clubs standing.
Given that we’ve reached championship weekend, you can say that this was undoubtedly the most successful spring league that the football world has seen thus far. Previous leagues had folded midseason, so the USFL should consider this a tremendous win. With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that the USFL will be back for a second season in 2023. While the league will still hold office in Birmingham, Alabama (where it held all of its games for 2022), the plan is to have all eight teams play in two to four markets.
Before we go too far looking into the future of the USFL, however, let’s finish up this season. Below, you’ll find a full breakdown of the championship game along with a guide on how you’ll be able to watch the action unfold.
How to watch Date: Sunday, July 3 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (Canton, Ohio) TV: Fox | Stream: fuboTV (try for free) Follow: CBS Sports App Odds: Stallions -4.5 (-115), O/U 45
Philadelphia Stars vs. Birmingham Stallions The Stallions have been the team to beat in the USFL from the jump, so it isn’t surprising to see them in the championship. They flirted with a perfect season until Week 9 before falling to the Houston Gamblers, but have bounced back nicely with two wins in a row, including a 31-17 victory over the New Orleans Breakers in the first round of the playoffs last week.
All three phases contributed to that win as they poured on 21 of their points in the second quarter. During that stretch, the offense marched on a 72-yard touchdown drive, the defense forced an interception that was returned for a score, and the special teams unit got in on the action with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as well.
Throughout the regular season, they led the South Division with 23.4 points per game and were second in the USFL in points allowed (16.9 points per game). Birmingham has also shown a strong ability to get after the quarterback as it has 27 sacks on the year. Edge rusher DeMarquis Gates has spearheaded that attack with 6.5 sacks during the regular season. Gates also led the defensive effort in their playoff win against New Orleans, totaling six tackles to go along with a pick-six.
Birmingham’s defense will need to be just as stout in this title game as it will the high-flying offense of the Stars.
Philadelphia led the league in scoring (26.2 ppg) by a considerable amount. A large part of its success offensively has come from quarterback Case Cookus. In just seven starts, he passed for 1,334 yards (fourth-most in the USFL), completed 62.5% of his throws, and has 12 touchdowns to just five interceptions. While Cookus was stellar through the regular season, he did struggle against the Generals’ defense in the playoff opener. In that game, he completed just 50% of his passes for 133 yards and an interception. However, he did make up for those deficiencies in the passing game with 39 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
While the Stars’ offense has certainly shown it can pile up points, their defense was tied for the most points allowed per game (24.3) during the regular season.
The Stallions and Stars met just once during the regular season and it was Birmingham who came out on top with a 31-17 victory in Week 5.
Spring football is back, as the USFL will try to capitalize on an opportunity to expand the game. For the third time in the last four years, a new football league will attempt to stick around.
The USFL features eight franchises that were also in the original USFL, which ran from 1983 to 1986, and retained rights to key original team names (Philadelphia Stars, New Jersey Generals, New Orleans Breakers, etc.). What separates the USFL from the Alliance of American Football and the XFL is all the games in its inaugural season are being played in a centralized location in Birmingham, Alabama — at Protective Stadium and Legion Field.
As for the postseason, four teams will qualify (the top two teams in each division) and the games will be held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The USFL Championship Game will also be played in Canton on Sunday, July 3.
The XFL will relaunch once again this weekend with two games on Saturday and two games on Sunday to begin the 2023 XFL season. An ownership group led by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson now leads the new spring football league after an attempted 2020 revival of the XFL had to be abandoned because of the global pandemic. The action begins on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET with the Las Vegas Vipers against the Arlington Renegades and concludes with the Seattle Sea Dragons visiting the DC Defenders on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.
The latest Week 1 XFL odds from Caesars Sportsbook list the Dragons as 1.5-point favorites against the Defenders. The Renegades are -3.5 against the Vipers, the Roughnecks are -3.5 against the Guardians and the BattleHawks are -2.5 against the Brahmas. Before locking in any Week 1 XFL picks or predictions, you need to see what SportsLine’s Emory Hunt has to say.
Hunt is the founder and CEO of Football Gameplan, which has been supplying analysis of all levels of football since 2007, and a former running back at Louisiana-Lafayette. He knows the game from a player’s perspective.
Now, Hunt has analyzed Week 1 of the 2023 XFL season from every possible angle and locked in his best bets for XFL Week 1. You can head to SportsLine to see his picks.
Top Week 1 XFL picks One of Hunt’s strongest XFL picks for Week 1 is the Defenders (+1.5) at home against the Seattle Sea Dragons what Hunt views as the two strongest rosters in the new league. This coaching matchup will pit former NFL receiver and long-time HBCU coach Reggie Barlow against former NFL head coach Jim Haslett.
Haslett most recently coached inside linebackers for the Titans in 2021 but Barlow ran Division I programs at Alabama State and Virginia State from 2007-2021 while Haslett was last a head coach in 2009 with the Florida Tuskers. So Barlow will have the recency advantage and he should be able to get the most out of his mobile quarterback options after successfully running up-tempo, spread offenses in the SWAC and CIAA.
Hunt is expecting DC quarterbacks Jordan Ta’amu and D’Eriq King’s mobility to present a serious issue for Haslett and the Sea Dragons. Ta’amu rushed for 342 yards and six scores in his final year as the starter for Ole Miss in 2018 while King rushed for 2,055 yards and 32 scores in his six-year career with Miami and Houston in college. See more XFL picks at SportsLine.
How to make 2023 XFL predictions Hunt has also released his best bets for each of the other three games on the Week 1 XFL schedule, including one on a team “built with being a bully in mind.” He’s sharing them only at SportsLine.
Who wins during Week 1 of the 2023 XFL season? And which team will have a big physical edge? Visit SportsLine now to see Week 1 XFL picks for every game of the weekend from a former college football player with a proven track record.
Week 1 XFL odds, schedule, start time See XFL picks at SportsLine
Saturday, Feb. 18 Las Vegas Vipers at Arlington Renegades (-3.5, 36) | 3 p.m. ET Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks (-3.5, 35) | 8:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Feb. 19 St. Louis Battlehawks at San Antonio Brahmas (+2.5, 36.5) | 3 p.m. ET Seattle Sea Dragons at DC Defenders (+1.5, 36) | 8 p.m. ET
The XFL has had a tenuous time establishing itself since its debut season in 2001. When the league resumes play yet again for its 2023 season on Saturday, it will do so with a quarterback that has begun to make a name for himself in spring professional football leagues. Jordan Ta’amu was the quarterback for the St. Louis BattleHawks in 2020, and returns to the XFL to lead the DC Defenders in 2023, but should he also be the QB for your XFL DFS lineups?
After his first stint in St. Louis, Ta’amu bounced around several NFL teams’ practice squads before leading the USFL in passing yards (2,014) and passing touchdowns (14) last year. The XFL DFS player pool features several recognizable names at QB, like Paxton Lynch and AJ McCarron, but Ta’amu’s recent experience could push your roster over the top in tournaments and cash games on DraftKings. Before making any XFL DFS picks on DraftKings for Week 1, be sure to check out the XFL DFS advice, strategy and projections from CBS Sports Fantasy and gambling editor R.J. White.
White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 535-450-30 on his ATS picks from 2017-22, which returned more than $3,500 to $100 players. He also closed the NFL season on an incredible 107-80-6 on his last 193 against-the-spread and total NFL picks during the 2022 NFL season, returning more than $1,800 for $100 bettors.
White has crushed not only the NFL but also the XFL during its abbreviated 2020 season, going 16-4 on XFL ATS picks before the league suspended operations as sportsbooks scrambled to correctly evaluate team quality in a league where little was known heading into the season. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, White has turned his attention to Week 1 XFL action and locked in his top daily Fantasy football picks. You can only see them by heading to SportsLine.
Top XFL DFS picks for Week 1 White is high on Seattle quarterback Ben DiNucci ($9,800 on DraftKings). After a mostly nondescript college career through his first three seasons at Pitt and James Madison, he lit things up in his senior season. In 2019, DiNucci completed over 70% of his passes for 3,441 yards and 29 touchdowns.
DiNucci also finished with 569 rushing yards on 122 attempts as a senior before spending a season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. In three appearances for Dallas, he threw for just 219 yards, but he didn’t throw any interceptions and also ran for 22 yards on five carries in his lone start against the Philadelphia Eagles. DiNucci has starter experience at every major level of football, and should be a steady arm to start the season.
White is also high on San Antonio running back Jacques Patrick ($7,800 on DraftKings). The big, bruising Florida State product played in two games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, and finished with just two total carries for 12 yards. Patrick finished his high school career as a high four-star prospect, but didn’t have the sort of tenure with the Seminoles that many expected, with just 1,790 total rushing yards in four seasons.
During the XFL’s last season in 2020, Patrick checked-in at 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds, and ran for 254 yards on 60 carries for the Tampa Bay Vipers. He also finished with two rushing touchdowns and 49 receiving yards in his five appearances before the league was suspended. The jury is out on the strength of San Antonio’s pass catchers, and until it’s known how effective they might be, Patrick should be expected to carry the load on offense.
How to set XFL DFS lineups White is also targeting an undervalued player who is set to explode for huge numbers this weekend. This pick could be the difference between winning your tournaments and cash games or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.
Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for more football.
After a three-year hiatus, the XFL is back and ready to entertain football fans who aren’t ready to head into the offseason. The XFL will kick things off with four games this weekend — just six days after Super Bowl LVII — and will conclude the 2023 season with a championship game on May 13.
Of course, no football league can exist without Power Rankings, so we’ve compiled one just in time for the start of the XFL season. We’ll update our Power Rankings each week while keeping fans up to date on the teams and players who are on the rise.
Here’s our first of many XFL Power Rankings for the 2023 season, as we try to sort things out before these teams have played a single game. Let’s see how accurate these rankings are when an XFL champion is crowned three months from now.
D.C. Defenders The Defenders already have a philosophy despite not having yet played a game. Offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss will employ a spread out, college style offense. It appears that D.C. has the players to execute the attack. The Defenders have several capable quarterbacks, led by former USFL standout Jordan Ta’amu. They have a wealth of talent in the backfield that includes former New Orleans Saint Abram Smith — a physical, straight ahead back who averaged over 6 yards-per-carry during his college career at Baylor.
Defensively, the Defenders will likely mimic the attitude of Gregg Williams, a tough-minded coach whose resume includes being the defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl-winning Saints squad.
Arlington Renegades Continuity among the coaching staff is among the Renegades’ strengths. Flanked alongside head coach Bob Stoops is former OU and Iowa colleague Jonathan Hayes, who will share offensive coordinator duties with Chuck Long. Arlington’s staff also includes Tim Lewis, a former NFL defensive back who has had a wealth of coaching experience across several leagues.
The Renegades are pretty good on the field, too. Leading the way are former USFL teammates Kyle Sloter and Sal Canella. A classic pocket passer, Sloter played well last year in leading the USFL’s Breakers to the playoffs. Canella was unstoppable in the Breakers’ playoff loss to the eventual USFL champion Stallions, catching 12 passes for 154 yards.
CBS Sports HQ Newsletter We bring sports news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and get a winning edge.
I agree to receive the “CBS Sports HQ Newsletter” and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge Paramount’s Privacy Policy. Email Address
San Antonio Brahmas The Brahmas are good enough to challenge for the league title. San Antonio’s roster features a slew of talented players that includes former NFL veterans Kalen Ballage and Patrick Turner.
This is the first head coaching assignment for Hines Ward, a former Pro Bowl receiver and Super Bowl MVP for the Steelers. Ward, who wisely surrounded himself with veteran assistants, is surely motivated to prove his value as a head coach.
St. Louis Battlehawks St. Louis’ quarterback and skill players should make this a fun team to follow. St. Louis has arguably the league’s most proven quarterback in A.J. McCarron, a two-time national champion at Alabama who nearly led the Bengals to a playoff win over the Steelers as a rookie.
At McCarron’s disposal is former Raiders and Cardinals wideout Marcell Ateman, and Darrius Shepherd, a veteran player who spent parts of 2022 with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals and Denver Broncos.
St. Louis also has a promising young offensive coordinator in Bruce Gradkowski, who had his own successful playing career at the college and pro ranks.
Houston Roughnecks Former NFL head coach and Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is Houston’s head coach, so expect the Roughnecks to field a tough defense. The main question in Houston is who will win the quarterback battle between Cole McDonald and Kaleb Eleby.
A former NFL seventh-round pick, McDonald briefly spent time with the Titans and Cardinals before going to the CFL. Eleby went undrafted in 2022 despite having a strong final season at Western Michigan.
For what it’s worth, the Roughnecks were the XFL’s best team in 2020, going a perfect 5-0 before the league shut down after five games due to COVID-19. P.J. Walker, now with the Carolina Panthers, was arguably the XFL’s best player that season.
Seattle Sea Dragons Let’s start with the fact that the Dragons field former All-Pro receiver Josh Gordon, whose resume includes being an NFL receiving champion and the owner of a Super Bowl ring. Seattle also has an experienced quarterback in Ben DiNucci, who spent the last several years with the Cowboys.
Seattle’s coaching staff is a beacon of experience. Led by former NFL Coach of the Year Jim Haslett, the Sea Dragons’ coaching staff also includes offensive pioneer June Jones and longtime NFL executive Randy Mueller.
Las Vegas Vipers First-time head coach Rod Woodson is hoping that the Vipers’ veteran players will turn back the clock. Those players include former NFL vets Vic Beasley (30), Matt Jones (29) and Martavis Bryant (31).
Las Vegas also has a solid quarterback in Luis Perez, a well-traveled player who briefly spent time with the Rams this past season. Perez does have competition, however, with Bryan Scott behind him on the depth chart. Scott has played in several leagues that includes a stint on the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars last year.
Orlando Guardians Inexperience, particularly at quarterback, is the main reason why the Guardians are currently taking up the rear. Orlando could turn heads if either DeAndre Francois, Mitch Kidd or Quentin Dormady pan out.
Francois, Florida State’s former quarterback, has played in several leagues that includes Fan Controlled Football. Kidd is also an FCF alum who actually won the league’s Offensive Player of the Year. Dormady had a well-traveled college career that included time at Tennessee, Houston and Central Michigan.
If you are already missing football, then you’re in luck, because a new league kicks off this weekend. The XFL is back, and there’s plenty to be intrigued by this spring. Rod Woodson and Hines Ward are new head coaches, there are some new rule changes to keep an eye on and then the rosters include some names all football fans will know.
Former All-Pro wideout Josh Gordon is a member of the Seattle Sea Dragons, former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Martavis Bryant is with the Vegas Vipers and even one of the most famous NFL punters from the past decade returns to the field, as Marquette King is booting the ball for the Arlington Renegades.
One of the most fun aspects about this league is that we don’t know what to expect. So naturally, we are going to blindly gamble on it. Every week, I’ll be posting my ATS picks for the XFL on CBSSports.com. Let’s go ahead and jump into Week 1. To view our XFL Week 1 Power Rankings, click here.
All odds are via Caesars Sportsbook
Vegas Vipers at Arlington Renegades (-2.5) Saturday, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
This is Bob Stoops vs. Rod Woodson. Stoops’ Renegades could be the preseason No. 1 team, as they have an impressive coaching staff, a quarterback in Kyle Sloter and a star tight end in Sal Canella — who played with Sloter in the USFL. I will say, Sloter didn’t play as well as I thought he would for the New Orleans Breakers — even though he was named All-USFL. Sloter threw the second-most interceptions with 12, compared to just nine touchdowns. That said, I still believe he has potential, and could be one of the better signal-callers.
Vipers quarterback Luis Perez is a spring league veteran, and he has a few notable targets like Geronimo Allison, Jeff Badet and Martavis Bryant. But I’m interested to see how good this defense is. That unit has former NFL sack leader Vic Beasley coming off the edge. Most will likely have the Renegades winning this game, but I’m going to go out on a limb and take the underdog Vipers. Coach Woodson starts the season off with an upset victory.
The pick: Vipers +2.5 Projected score: Vipers 24-21
Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks (-2) Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
If you look around at different XFL power rankings, the majority of sportswriters are expecting the Guardians to be the worst team in the league. While that means absolutely nothing, I see where they are getting that from. The quarterback room consists of Deondre Francois, Quinten Dormady and Paxton Lynch. Orlando does have some playmakers at wide receiver, however. Cody Latimer and Eli Rogers may be players you recognize, and then JaVonta Payton led the SEC with 22.9 yards per catch in 2021 at Tennessee (min. one reception per game).
I’m not sure the Roughnecks have an elite quarterback room either, but Wade Phillips is a good coach. If you’re a Maryland Terrapins fan, the Roughnecks are the team for you (behind the D.C. Defenders, of course). They have four former Terps in the secondary with Sean Davis, A.J. Hendy, William Likely and Jordan Mosley. The Roughnecks were the XFL’s best team in 2020, going a perfect 5-0 before the league shut down due to COVID-19. I’ll lay the points with the favorites.
The pick: Roughnecks -2 Projected score: Roughnecks 16-7
St. Louis Battlehawks (-2) at San Antonio Brahmas Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
A.J. McCarron is likely going to be leading the Battlehawks into … battle, and I think he could impress some people in this league. He has a big target in Hakeem Butler out of Iowa State, who was a fourth-round pick back in 2019, but didn’t catch on at the next level. As for the Brahmas, you’ll recognize running back Kalen Ballage and of course head coach Hines Ward. Some think San Antonio could be an underrated team. Maybe it is, but I’m going to lean to McCarron in Week 1.
The pick: Battlehawks -2 Projected score: Battlehawks 23-20
Seattle Sea Dragons at DC Defenders (PICK) Sunday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The Defenders are the No. 1 team in Bryan DeArdo’s power rankings, so I’m going to have to roll with them. I haven’t watched much of quarterback Eric Dungey, so that’s going to be an interesting storyline to follow. I’m curious to see if he’s the best quarterback on roster with Jordan Ta’amu and D’Eriq King there as well, but I’m picking D.C. because of its defense. Gregg Williams is a very well-known NFL assistant/villain, and then linebacker Reggie Northrup is a veteran linebacker and MMA fighter that takes the practice field with a cigarette in his mouth.
I think Seattle is an interesting team — especially with Josh Gordon at receiver. Ben DiNucci could be a solid quarterback as well. Jim Haslett is an experienced defensive mind, but I’m going to ride with the Defenders.
Super Bowl LVII put an end to the NFL season, but fans don’t need to worry about having football withdrawal, not with two spring leagues playing games during the NFL’s offseason. Along with the USFL’s second season, which begins in April, the rebooted XFL is back after a two-year hiatus. The XFL will kick things off this Saturday, Feb. 18 — six days after Super Bowl LVII.
Here’s everything you need to know about the modern version of the XFL ahead of this weekend’s games.
Backstory Initially founded in 2001, the XFL was a joint collaboration between NBC and WWF, spearheaded by Vince McMahon. After a hot start, poor ratings ultimately led to the league lasting just one season. The league returned in 2020, with McMahon leading the reboot, but had to close its doors again after COVID-19 shut things down after just five weeks. The league filed for bankruptcy and was forced to sell.
A group that includes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson then bought the league out of bankruptcy for $15 million, eyeing 2023 as its return season. For cost-saving measures, each XFL team will train in Arlington, Texas, and will only travel for game days.
Teams The league consists of eight teams that are split into North and South divisions. Here’s a look at each team, which division they are in, and who will be coaching them in 2023.
XFL North D.C. Defenders — Reggie Barlow Seattle Sea Dragons — Jim Haslett St. Louis Battlehawks — Anthony Becht Vegas Vipers — Rod Woodson XFL South Arlington Renegades — Bob Stoops Houston Roughnecks — Wade Phillips Orlando Guardians — Terrell Buckley San Antonio Brahmas — Hines Ward If you’re wondering what changed between the 2020 XFL lineup and the 2023 version, there is only one team — the San Antonio Brahmas — with both a new host city and new team name. Three teams have the same nickname but a new host city: The Vegas (formerly Tampa) Vipers; the Arlington (formerly Dallas) Renegades, and the Orlando (formerly New York) Guardians. The L.A. Wildcats are no more.
Notable players Several former notable NFL players will be part of the XFL in 2023. They include former All-Pro wideout Josh Gordon (Sea Dragons), former Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant (Vipers) and Vipers quarterback Luis Perez, a longtime NFL journeyman who started for the USFL’s New Jersey Generals last year before briefly spending time with the Rams.
Former NFL quarterbacks Ben DiNucci (Seattle), A.J. McCarron (St. Louis) — both of whom have started games in the NFL — and former NFL and USFL alums Kyle Sloter (Arlington) and Jordan Ta’amu (DC) will also take part in the XFL’s upcoming season.
Three former NFL first-round picks — quarterback Paxton Lynch (Guardians), linebacker Vic Beasley (Vipers) and safety Matt Elam (Guardians) — are also in the league. Lynch was the 26th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Broncos. Beasley, the seventh overall pick of the 2015 draft by the Falcons, was an All-Pro in 2015 with 15.5 sacks. Elam was the last pick of the first round of the draft in 2013 by the Ravens.
Running back Matt Jones (Vipers) was a third-round NFL pick in 2015 by Washington. Two punters — Marquette King (Renegades) and Brad Wing (Brahmas) — started in the NFL.
Rule changes Like the USFL, the XFL has a few rules that distinguish itself from the NFL.
Teams can score three points after scoring a touchdown if they elect to place the ball at the 10-yard line following a touchdown. Unlike the NFL, the clock will start in the XFL following incomplete passes and out of bounds plays prior to the two-minute warning in either half. The clock will stop after first downs after the two-minute warning in either half. There will be 10-minute halftimes. The XFL has adopted the XFL’s onside kick alternative where a team can try to keep the ball after a score by attempting to convert a fourth-and-15 from its own 25-yard line. Teams can complete a double forward pass as long as the first completion does not cross the original line of scrimmage. Overtimes will consist of alternating attempts from the opponent’s 5-yard- line. Each team will get three attempts or until a winner is declared. How to watch All 43 XFL games will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Each game will also be streamed on ESPN+.
Week 1 schedule Saturday, Feb. 18: Vegas Vipers at Arlington Renegades (Choctaw Stadium) — 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+ Saturday, Feb. 18: Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks (at TDECU Stadium) — 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/FX and ESPN+ Sunday, Feb. 19: St. Louis Battlehawks at San Antonio Brahmas (at The Alamodome) — at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+ Sunday, Feb. 19: Seattle Sea Dragons at D.C. Defenders (at Audi Field) — 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+ Season schedule and playoffs The XFL will play a 10-game regular season that will conclude Sunday, April 23. Four teams will then take part in two semifinal games, with the two winners participating in the XFL Championship that will be played on Saturday, May 13.
The new-look XFL returns to the field for the first time in three years when the Arlington Renegades host the Vegas Vipers in the 2023 season opener on Saturday at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas. With new owners, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and eight teams from Seattle to Washington, D.C., the XFL hopes to finish what it could not three years ago. In 2020 the league was able to play only half of its 10-game season before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to cancel the rest of the season. The Renegades vs. Vipers game is the first of four games this weekend.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET. Arlington is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Renegades vs. Vipers odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 36. Before locking in any Vipers vs. Renegades picks or XFL predictions of your own, you need to see what pro football expert R.J. White has to say.
White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 535-450-30 on his ATS picks from 2017-22, which returned more than $3,500 to $100 players. He also closed the NFL season on an incredible 107-80-6 on his last 193 against-the-spread and total NFL picks during the 2022 NFL season, returning more than $1,800 for $100 bettors.
White has crushed not only the NFL but also the XFL during its abbreviated 2020 season, going 16-4 on XFL ATS picks before the league suspended operations. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, he has locked in on Renegades vs. Vipers and released a confident against-the-spread pick that is available only at SportsLine. Go to SportsLine to see it. Here are the XFL lines and trends for Vipers vs. Renegades:
Renegades vs. Vipers spread: Arlington -3.5 Renegades vs. Vipers over/under: 36 points Renegades vs. Vipers money line: Arlington -178, Vegas +150 ARL: TE Sal Cannella had 34 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns in the USFL in 2022. VEG: QB Luis Perez completed 72% of his passes in the USFL in 2022. Renegades vs. Vipers picks: See picks at SportsLine Why the Renegades can cover Arlington has a prolific quarterback in Drew Plitt. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Plitt played five seasons at Ball State and finished second in program history in completions (777) and third in passing yards (9,062) and passing touchdowns (68). In brief action with the Bengals last preseason, he completed 7-of-8 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown.
In addition, the Renegades have a running back with NFL experience in Keith Ford. The 5-foot-10, 219-pound Ford has spent time on the roster of the Bills, Colts and Packers. He has played in two NFL games, running for 79 yards on 21 carries.
Why the Vipers can cover Vegas has receivers with NFL experience. Martavis Bryant had 145 receptions for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns in four seasons with the Steelers and Raiders. Meanwhile Geronimo Allison had 89 receptions for 1,045 and six touchdowns in parts of five seasons with the Packers and Lions.
Bryant and Allison will be catching passes from a prolific passer in Luis Perez. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Perez was a two-year starter at Texas A&M-Commerce where he threw for 8,327 yards and 78 touchdowns and led the team to the Div. II national championship in 2017. That season he also won the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is the Div. II equivalent to the Heisman Trophy.
How to make Renegades vs. Vipers picks White has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he’s leaning Under the total, he has discovered a crucial x-factor that makes one side of the spread a must-back. He’s sharing it only at SportsLine.
Who wins Vipers vs. Renegades? And what critical x-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Renegades vs. Vipers spread you should jump on, all from the top pro football expert who brought in more than $1,800 last season in the NFL, and find out.
